SCULLING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2259, 3 August 1908, Page 3

SCULLING.

ARNST DEFEATS PEARCE. THE NEAV ZEALANDER AVINS EASILY. United Press Association. Copyright (Received August 2, 8.35 a.m.) SYDNEY, August 1. The sculling race on the Parramatta river for LIOO -aside was rowed today. There were frequent showers all day, but despite the dismal weather crowds watched the race from craft of all sorts and ‘ from every point of vantage, Tho race was rowed on an ebb tide with a heavy fresh in the river. The men started by mutual consent. Pearce went away in the lead, rowing a faster stroke than Arnst. The latter caught up inside threequarters of a mile, and once he got the lead he was really never asked to extend himself seriously. Once or twice Pearce made a vigorous spurt and managed tp got almost alongside, hut by putting an extra pound or two on Arust- easily drew away. By tho time half the distance was covered, the race was practically over. At the end of a mile and a half Arast had established an advantage of three lengths, which he continued to hold for the next mile, hut at Gladesville Bearc-e had reduced it

half a length. Tho Sydnoy man continued to gain a littlo over the next half an Wo, and nt Abbotsford, aftor three miles, only two lengths divided Iho rowers Arrist thou sprinted, away again, and finished a winner by throe lengths in 20min GOhcc. (Received August 2, 4,30 p.m.) A rust mot with n great reception, lie showed much improved fonnj and finished strong. Ho covered the first mile in smin 45sec, anil two miles in tho fast time of 12iniu. Poarco rdwoil a. lino, hard race, and hold his own for the first half-mile, but after that was not in it. Ho declared Arnst was a great sculler, and should beat everything before him. Beach, who noted ns umpire, nays that Ariist is the coming main There is not the slightest doubt in his mind as to which is tho coming champion. [Richard Arnst is the son of a North Canterbury farmor, and is ono of several brothers who hiivo secured a uniqno family reputation in tho cycle-racing world. “Jack” Arnst, in particular, sot up some phenomenal records in long-distanco roadriding, both in Now Zealand and Australia, demonstrating that ho was probably tho finest road-rider in tho world at tlio 'time his best performances were being recorded. 'His brother “Dick,” a youth of much heavier build was littlo inferior on the road, but showed to greater advantage in .track-racing. He concluded a brilliant racing career by winning the Sydney Thousand Handicap, ill which the first prize was £750, in March of last- year. Arnst, to the surprise of many, then relinquished cycle racing, and [.tho instance of a mimbor of Christchurch sportsmen decided to try his fortunes at sculling. His friends banded together, and agreed to pay his expenses to go to Australia and there undergo a course of training, with Georgo Towns, ex-world’s champion, as Ins coach. To many this seemed like a more waste of money, anil tho Christchurch syndicate who hail put their hands into their pockets in proof of their belief that a cycle racer could he promptly transformed into a sculling champion wore the objects of a good deal' of mirth. However, Arnst, though quite a novice in a boat, entered u]>oii bis task with characteristic determination, ami soon compelled Australian scullers to treat liis ambitions more seriously. He won a number of handicaps and then had considerable difficulty in getting a match. Six months ago be was almost tempted to return to cycle-racing, as he could find no opponents in tlio sculling world. Howover, n challenge to Webb just after the ’Wanganui sculler had defeated Charles Towns for the world’s championship was accepted, and* almost simultaneously a match was made with Pearce, giving Arnst ample inducement to proceed with training. His defeat of Pearce, and tho manner in which ho won will cause a great change to come over the popular opinion concerning tho next contest for tlio world’s championship, which is to take place on tho “Wanganui river in November next. It will now bo conceded that Webb has probably the stillest struggle of his career on. hand when be meets hi/} fellow Now Zealander, the ex-cycling champion. Arnst is a much bigger man than Webb, is very powerfully built, weighing over 13 stone stripped, anil is about 24 years of ago.]